WHO pledges renewed fight for a leprosy-free future, highlighting global progress and partnerships ahead of World Leprosy Day

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by WHO, click this post to read the original article.

Ahead of World Leprosy Day on 25 January, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of access to treatment in the global fight to eliminate leprosy. Leprosy, caused by the bacterium *Mycobacterium leprae*, is an ancient infectious disease that primarily affects the skin and nerves. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent disabilities and significant social stigma. The good news is that the disease is curable through multidrug therapy (MDT), and thanks to ongoing global efforts, many countries have reported a decline in new cases. In 2024, 55 out of 188 reporting countries recorded zero cases, although 172,717 new cases were still identified worldwide.

WHO has maintained a long-standing partnership with pharmaceutical company Novartis since 2000, ensuring free access to MDT and clofazimine for all leprosy patients. This collaboration, now extended through 2030, is recognized as one of the most enduring pharmaceutical donation programs. The renewed agreement will continue supplying MDT and fund the distribution of single-dose rifampicin (SDR) for preventive treatment in people who’ve been exposed to leprosy. WHO’s Dr. Jeremy Farrar praised the partnership, calling it a vital example of how global cooperation can tackle even the most entrenched health challenges.

Through the availability of free treatment, millions of people have been cured, and countless others have avoided disabilities and the related stigma. Clofazimine, in particular, plays a crucial role in managing severe inflammatory reactions known as lepra reactions. Novartis has expressed continued commitment to eliminating the disease, noting the millions of patients reached over the past 25 years.

Despite the medical advancements, stigma remains a major hurdle. This year’s World Leprosy Day theme, “Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma,” reflects that ongoing issue. WHO Goodwill Ambassador Yohei Sasakawa stressed that social discrimination, which can include exclusion, forced divorce, and job loss, often lingers long after treatment is completed. Reducing this stigma is just as essential as curing the disease itself.

Leprosy is part of WHO’s broader efforts to address Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) through the NTD Roadmap 2021–2030. The roadmap aims not just to reduce the public health burden of leprosy but to break its chain of transmission entirely. With continued political support, community involvement, early detection, preventive therapies, and anti-discrimination work, you can help move the world closer to eliminating leprosy once and for all.